SMU Soccer Edges South Carolina, 3-2, In Double Overtime

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (SMU) – The SMU men’s soccer team defeated South Carolina, 3-2, in double overtime on Wednesday night at Euguene E. Stone III Stadium. Diogo de Almeida scored a goal and Arthur Ivo tallied two goals on set pieces for the Mustangs. With the win, SMU moves to 7-4-1 on the season and now has a 2-1-1 mark in C-USA. South Carolina is now 5-5-1 on the year and holds a 3-1 record in league play.

“It was an extremely difficult match, especially after being on the road for so long,” head coach Tim McClements said. “This game is obviously very important. We’re very happy we got the result after a tough physical match against Marshall. We didn’t play to our potential, but we fought it out and this is a huge three points.”

de Almeida put the Mustangs on the board in the 17th minute after collecting a rebound from in front of the net and burying the ball from eight yards out. The goal was de Almeida’s second of the season.

South Carolina answered with a goal in the 24th minute from Stephen Morrissey. The teams remained tied until the Gamecock Bradlee Baladez scored in the 84th minute for a 2-1 South Carolina lead.

With time winding down in the match, senior Payton Hickey was fouled in the box after great pursuit of the ball, awarding the Mustangs a penalty kick in the 89th minute. Reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Week Ivo stepped in and fired the ball into the lower left corner to knot the score at two.

“In a match like today, when we’re not playing particularly well, we needed guys to step up and finish their opportunities, and he did that,” McClements said of Ivo.

After a scoreless overtime period, SMU was again pressuring and forced a South Carolina handball, giving SMU a free kick from 20 yards out. Ivo once again took the kick for SMU and sent the double-overtime game-winning goal into the right upper 90 in the 102nd minute. The goals were Ivo’s team-leading fourth and fifth goals of the season. He now has a team-high 17 points on the year.

Goalkeeper Jaime Ibarra turned in another solid performance in net, making eight spectacular saves on the night.

“He’s been stellar all year,” McClements said of Ibarra. “South Carolina had a lot of shots and Jaime had to handle a lot of difficult balls in the box. He’s been solid this whole trip and has been huge in picking up these points.”

SMU returns to Westcott Field on Oct. 16 to host FIU at 7 p.m.

Individual game tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Blocks of 50 or more tickets are $1 apiece. Tickets can be purchased online at SMUMustangs.com or by calling 214-SMU-GAME (214-768-4263).

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